NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide

Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, FEB. 22, 2014

Arlene and Alan Alda
The children’s author Arlene Alda previews her book, “Just Kids From the Bronx,” and shares childhood memories in conversation with her husband, Alan Alda, aka Hawkeye.
Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, at 165th St, Morrisania
From noon to 2 p.m./ $10, $5 for museum members.
718-681-6000, bronxmuseum.org

OK, this is not Manhattan’s WestSide, but if you are a boy from the Bronx (and I am), then this event is a must see.
Subway: B/D train to 167^th St.; walk S 2 blks on the Grand Concourse to museum.
time from 42^nd St/6^th ave. about 30 min.

It’s the last weekend of competition in the Winter Games.
Today’s highlights – the Men’s Slalom and the Four Man Bob, with American Steve Holcomb the defending champ.
Paley Center for Media: The Olympic Games (also Sunday)
On select days through Feb. 23, visitors can watch daytime coverage of the Olympics on the center’s big screen. The free programming is a celebration of the center’s United States Olympic Archive, featuring televised Olympic competitions dating to 1960.
Paley Center for Media, West 52nd St.
screenings included in admission: $10, $8 for students and 65+
212-621-6800,paleycenter.org

Hot Chocolate Festival – Last Week (through Feb 28)
City Bakery says: “Fear not the Polar Vortex”
Regress to childhood with tasty mugs of hot chocolate courtesy of this downtown canteen. They serve a different flavor every day during February. Today it’s Banana Peel Hot Chocolate (very interesting)
City Bakery, 3 W 18th St, btw Fifth and Sixth Aves

Reflections of Monk
“A dream team of top-notch bandleader-improvisers join forces to pay tribute to one of the 20th century’s winningest, most enduring oeuvres. Your tour guides through the wonderful world of Thelonious Monk–iana are trumpeter Tom Harrell, saxist Greg Osby, drummer Matt Wilson, bassist Ben Allison and pianist Aaron Goldberg, with saxist Melissa Aldana (winner of the 2013 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition) joining in on Feb 21 and 22.” (TONY mag)
Birdland, 315 W 44th St. btw Eighth and Ninth Aves
At 8:30 and 11PM / $40, with a $10 minimum
212-581-3080 / birdlandjazz.com

Fred Hersch Trio (also Sun)
“The pianist has a nurturing relationship with the Village Vanguard, as demonstrated on his 2012 release, “Alive at the Vanguard,” the third live album that he has recorded there. He returns Feb. 18-23, joined by the same telepathic team assembled for that album: the bassist John Hébert and the drummer Eric McPherson.” (NewYorker mag)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village,
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change ===============================================================

NYCity last week – it ain’t easy

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A PremierPub – Tribeca

B-Flat  /  277 Church st (Btw Franklin/White)

There are some places that are tough to find, then add a layer of mystery when you do find them. B-Flat has a nondescript, almost unmarked door at street level – today’s speakeasy vibe. Open this door and you face a dimly lit stairway down to their basement location. It almost takes a leap of faith to follow the stairs down to their interior door. But open that door and a pleasant surprise awaits you.

It’s a basement jazz spot all right, but not like any traditional jazz joint you may have been to before. This place looks as fresh as today, probably because it’s only been open for 6 years. Even though it hasn’t had a chance to age gracefully, the cherry wood accents and low lighting make this small space very inviting.

There is always jazz, often progressive jazz,  playing over their very discrete, stylish bose speakers, setting just the right tone as you find a seat at the bar, or one of the small tables. There is wine and beer available, but this place has some expert mixologists making some very creative cocktails, which I’m told change seasonally, a nice touch.

Come at happy hour and tasty cocktails like the el Diablo or the lychee martini are $8 – not bad. I am a sucker for any drink made with lychee and how can you not try a tequila drink named el Diablo. There is also nice selection of small bites available at happy hour and a food menu that is as innovative as the cocktail menu, so this does not have to be a happy hour only stop.

It wasn’t surprising to find a tasty prosciutto and arugula salad with yuzu dressing, but I did not expect to find such a good version of fried chicken breast on the apps menu. Here it’s called “Tatsuta.” Best bet is to sample happy hour, then dinner on a Monday or Wednesday night, when you can finish with no cover live jazz that starts around 8.

This place is tough to find (look for a small slate sandwich board on the sidewalk out front advertising happy hour) and on some nights when there is no live music it may be a little too quiet for some. But I think it’s worth searching out if you want a place with good music, food, and especially drinks, away from the maddening crowd.

Website: http://http://www.bflat.info/index.html
Phone #: 212-219-2970
Hours: Mo-Wed 5pm-2am; Th-Sat 5pm-3am; no Sun
Happy Hour: 5-7pm every day; $8 cocktails + special prices on apps
Music: Mon/Wed 8pm
Subway: #1 to Franklin; walk 1 blk E to Church; 1 blk N to bFlat

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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazaz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs  – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, FEB. 21, 2014

JLCO Hosts: Kenny Garrett and the Music of Mulgrew Miller (also Saturday)
“Pianist Mulgrew Miller, who died of a stroke last May, was a key figure in the neo-bop revival of the 1980s and ’90s, and his talents as a bandleader and composer reached their culmination in his own sextet, Wingspan.

This weekend’s concert by Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra is dedicated to Miller’s memory, opening with a set by the pianist’s longtime coadjutant, alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, and then launching into a program of Miller’s music as arranged by trombonist Chris Crenshaw.” (Friedwald-WSJ)
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
At 8 p.m. (preconcert discussions start at 7)/ $30-$120
212-721-6500, jalc.org

Linda Eder
One of the world’s most beloved and versatile voices, Linda Eder is forever linked to Broadway history via her Theatre World Award winning performance in Jekyll & Hyde. After her previously sold out run, 54 Below has brought back this celebrated songstress for three very special performances only. She’s a best-selling recording artist with fourteen solo albums to her credit, and now, get up close and personal with Linda in Broadway’s living room.
54 Below, 254 W 54th St. (btw bway/8th)
at 8pm / bar seating $75; dining room sold out
646.476.3551 / 54below.com

The Pajama Men: Just the Two of Each of Us (also Sat)
“The Pajama Men (Shenoah Allen and Mark Chavez) are wonderfully odd birds. This Albuquerque sketch duo brings surreal theatrics, physical bits and an improvisational playfulness to narrative storytelling. The result—a kinetic, shape-shifting show performed by two guys in their jammies—has made the pair stars at festivals worldwide.”(TONY mag)
SubCulture, 45 Bleecker St. btw Bowery and Lafayette St
At 7:30PM / $30
subculturenewyork.com

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca (also Sat)
“The stellar Ms. Barrio and her team of percussionists, guitarists, vocalists and fellow dancers have been regulars at Joe’s Pub for 15 years. Their anniversary program includes excerpts from a new work, “Antigona,” along with well-known and well-loved selections from their soulful repertory.” (Burke-NYT)
Joe’s Pub, at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, at Astor Place
At 7:30 and 9 p.m., with an additional performance on Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.,
$35 to $45.
212-967-7555, joespub.com

The New Drum Battle: Joe Farnsworth vs. Kenny Washington
“In the spirit of Buddy Rich’s vintage drum duels, stickmen Joe Farnsworth and Kenny Washington go head-to-head in Morningside Heights. Offsetting the percussive thunder is an all-star band featuring trumpeter Jim Rotondi, saxist Eric Alexander, pianist Harold Mabern and bassist Peter Washington.” (TONY mag)
Smoke Jazz Club and Lounge, 2751 Broadway, btw 105th and 106th Sts
at 7, 9, 10:30 / $38
212-864-6662 / smokejazz.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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WHAT’S ON VIEW: Special Exhibitions @ 4 MUSEUMS (Manhattan’s WestSide)

‘Walker Evans: American Photographs’ (through Mar. 09)
“In 1938, the Museum of Modern Art mounted its first one-person photography exhibition: “American Photographs,” by Walker Evans. This gripping, 75th-anniversary reprise of that show presents more than 50 images from that body of work. It is accompanied by a reissue of the original catalog, which includes a wonderfully insightful essay by Evans’s friend and supporter Lincoln Kirstein. Together, the show and the book reverberate now in a time when the idea of America is subject to debates as fractious and far-reaching as at any time since the Civil War.” (Johnson-NYT)
Isa Genzken: ‘Retrospective’ (through March 10)
‘Ileana Sonnabend: Ambassador for the New’ (through April 21)
 ‘Designing Modern Women 1890-1990’(through Oct. 5)
Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St. (btw 5th /6th Ave.)
(212) 708-9400 / moma.org.

Designing Modern Women 1890-1990:

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‘Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital’ (through June 1)
“If you haven’t quite wrapped your head around the concept of 3-D printing, or haven’t yet had a digital scanner wrap itself around you, now you can do both in this survey of computer-assisted art, architecture and design. The show looks at art made since 2005 and fills nearly three floors, including many irresistible interactive projects. Its ideas may not be entirely new; the Museum of Modern Art’s 2008 exhibition “Design and the Elastic Mind” covered much of the same territory, but there’s something to be said for this more down-to-earth, production-focused exhibition.” (Rosenberg-NYT)
Museum of Arts and Design, Columbus Circle,
212-299-7777,madmuseum.org.
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‘The Armory Show at 100: Modern Art and Revolution’ (through Feb. 23)
“The Historical Society visits a watershed exhibition in the history of American art (and a significant event in the annals of New York City) with this centennial celebration of the 1913 Armory Show, the controversial survey that introduced New York audiences to the works of such modern artists as Duchamp, Matisse, Picasso, Cézanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh. Some of those same pieces return here.” (TONY listings)
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, at 77th St.
(212) 873-3400 / nyhistory.org.

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The Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya (ongoing)
This exhibition by artist Nathan Sawaya is a critically acclaimed collection of intriguing and inspiring works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world — LEGO® bricks. The Discovery Times Square exhibit is the world’s biggest and most elaborate display of LEGO® art ever and features brand-new, never-before-seen pieces by Sawaya. This show was named ‘One of CNN’s Ten Global Must-See Exhibitions.’
Discovery Times Square, 226 West 44th St. (btw 7th/8th ave)
866.987.9692 / http://www.discoverytsx.com

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : … …” dated (02/19) and (02/17).

Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – THURSDAY, FEB. 20, 2014

Olympic Hockey has reached the games that count.
Today at noon – the Women’s Gold Medal game between our girls and those rough, tough Canadians. They are easily the two best teams, evenly matched, and don’t much like each other. Watch the goals score and the fists fly.

Friday at 12 noon – the titanic rematch of the two teams that played for the Gold in the last Winter Games – USA v Canada, this time in the semi-finals.

Here are a few places to watch the games with other hockey fans:
The Flying Puck is a short walk from Madison Square Garden, and usually filled with Ranger fans. This is probably THE hockey bar in town. Four large TVs at the end of the bar can be programmed to create one 100-inch screen, (although the screen bezels are too large and distracting). Their additional flat screens above the bar ensure unimpeded sight lines. Admire the stained-glass skylights depicting hockey players in action.
364 Seventh Ave at W 30th St
(212-736-5353 / theflyingpuck.com).

Penn 6 is a new, upscale gastropub that should please sports fans and foodies alike. The kind of place your GF would not mind being dragged to watch the game. Its proximity to the Garden, along with walls lined with flat screen televisions, make this large dining destination a very suitable sports bar. Come here to watch the Games because of the 9 monitor hyperwall behind the bar, and their 20 taps.
132 West 31st Street (btw 6/7)

(212) 727-3666 / 
Pennsylvania6nyc.com

Warren 77 is a secret mecca for hockey fans downtown. When you walk through the velvet curtain into this unmarked Tribeca bar, you might feel like you’ve gained entry into an exclusive viewing party. Owned by a former Ranger, this should be one of the more sedate spots to watch the Games, but you will still have six 50-inch screens.
77 Warren St / 1 blk S of ChambersSt., btw West Broadway and Greenwich St
(212-227-8995 / warren77nyc.com).

GettyImages

Update: Turns out hockey at noon on a weekday is a tough sell. Although big screens and big crowds can make the experience electric, almost as good as being there, today there were no big crowds. Best big screen was at Penn 6, best hockey crowd (although still modest) was at the Flying Puck.

William Hooker: ‘Body and Soul’
“Mr. Hooker, a drummer aligned with the combative free-jazz lineage, performs a live accompaniment to the 1925 Oscar Micheaux film “Body and Soul,” which introduced Paul Robeson to the screen. His musical partners will include the saxophonist Ras Moshe and the violinist Skye Steele.” (Chinen-NYT)
David Rubinstein Atrium, Lincoln Center, Broadway, between 62nd and 63rd St.
At 7:30 p.m./FREE (limited seating, be sure to get there early)
atrium.lincolncenter.org

Jessica Molaskey Sings Joni Mitchell (American Songbook)
“If the mysterious Miss Converse is (or, more likely was) the most obscure of all worthy female singer-songwriters, there’s no doubt who the most justifiably celebrated is. Joni Mitchell would have to look hard to find a better interpreter and champion than Jessica Molaskey, a highly astute singer and interpreter who’s proven her worth repeatedly in the fields of Broadway, cabaret, and even jazz.

This is a new project for Mrs. Pizzarelli, but her experiences with Ms. Mitchell’s music thus far include a thoughtful rendition of “Blue” and an ingenious re-imaginging of “The Circle Game,” in which she and husband-collaborator Mr. Pizzarelli mash-up that nursery-rhyme like air (with all of its painted ponies) together with Jobim’s “Waters of March,” thus giving both tunes a welcome shot in the arm. If Ms. Molaskey’s full-length program of Joni classics is as good as those two pieces, this will be a splendiferous evening in the Allen Room.” (WSJ)
The Allen Room (Jazz at Lincoln Center), Broadway at 60th St.,
At 7:30PM / $75-$140 (only a few tickets left)
212-721-6500

DANCE HEGINBOTHAM
“The company of the witty and musical choreographer John Heginbotham joins the musicians of Alarm Will Sound in taking over the Charles Engelhard Court, in the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition to excerpts from Heginbotham’s enigmatic and ominous “Twin,” set to electronica by Aphex Twin, the program includes the première of “Fly by Wire,” with an original score by Tyondai Braxton, as well as another new dance, set to Edgar Varèse’s “Poème Électronique.” The museum hasn’t seen much site-specific dance; count on Heginbotham to have fun with the place.” (NewYorker listings)
Metropolitan Museum of Art
At 7 p.m./ $60
212-535-7710,metmuseum.org/events

Angel Olsen
“Heartbreak almost seems advantageous in the agile hands of the jazz-inflected Ms. Olsen, who treads through the emotions of its fallout on her excellent new folk-rock record, “Burn Your Fire for No Witness.” A former member of Bonnie “Prince” Billy’s band the Cairo Gang, she truly excels in unadorned settings. Pity the dumb sap who caused her lonely tears, inspiring the spitfire defiance that would make her cry “Won’t you open a window sometime?/ What’s so wrong with the light?” on the song “Windows.” With Cian Nugent and Jaye Bartell.” (Anderson-NYT)
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, near Thompson Street, Greenwich Village,
At 6:15 p.m., $15.
212-505-3474, lepoissonrouge.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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A PremierPub – Upper West Side

Dinosaur /  700 W125th St. @ 12th ave.

Walk only five minutes from the 125th st. station on the #1 line to find this authentic honky-tonk barbecue joint. Some folks think Dinosaur is just a place to eat ribs. Au contraire. With 24 carefully selected taps, this is a place to drink beer, and eat ribs.

No food goes better with American craft ales than American barbecue. Dinosaur may be the best combo of good beer drinking and hearty eating in town, which makes the trip to Harlem totally worthwhile.

This second incarnation of Dinosaur in Harlem is in an old brick warehouse near the Hudson River. Don’t let that run down exterior fool you. Inside it’s a large space with huge, rough wooden columns and unfinished wooden floors and brick walls – just right for a bbq joint. As soon as you open the door you are hit with that tantalizing aroma of barbecue coming from the large open kitchen. Reminds me of all those great rib joints I frequented when stationed in North Carolina all those years ago. If your stomach wasn’t grumbling before, it is now.

Head to the bar, sit down and try to decide on a beer. It’s not an easy decision – a good problem to have. This is a pretty damn good beer list to choose from, one that most beer bars should be jealous of. I love that they feature NY craft beers. You may want to try the four beer sampler, which is always fun, and in this place may be necessary.

The Mississippi blues music playing in the background will get you in the mood for their North Carolina style barbecue, and even when it’s a full house your order shouldn’t take too long. The food is all slow smoked, so it’s already mostly done and ready to go. I always start with an order of their giant, spice rubbed wings, so good they may make you give up Buffalo wings.

Unfortunately, a place this good does not fly under the radar. There can be some humongous waits for a table at dinnertime. So you need a strategy – avoid prime time, and try not to arrive with your entire posse, which will limit your seating options.

A seat at the bar, a small table in the bar area, or in the summer, an outside table, underneath what’s left of the elevated West Side Hwy, all may open before a table inside the main dining room. Otherwise, try Dinosaur for lunch, or come very late for dinner.

Website: http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
Phone #: 212-694-1777
Hours: M-Th 11:30am-11:00pm; Fr-Sa 11:30am-12:00am;
Su 12:00pm-10:00pm
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day; $1 off all drinks
Music: Fri / Sat 10:00pm
Subway: #1 to 125th st
Walk 2 blk W on 125th to Dinosaur Bar-B-Q,
just past the elevated highway

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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs  – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19, 2014

We are well into the second week of competition in the Winter Games.
Today’s highlights – the Men’s Giant Slalom and the Swedish women curlers, defending champs, in the semi-finals.
Paley Center for Media: The Olympic Games
(Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday)
On select days through Feb. 23, visitors can watch daytime coverage of the Olympics on the center’s big screen. The free programming is a celebration of the center’s United States Olympic Archive, featuring televised Olympic competitions dating to 1960.
Paley Center for Media, West 52nd St.
screenings included in admission: $10, $8 for students and 65+
212-621-6800,paleycenter.org

Black Joe Lewis
“On this group’s major label debut, “Tell ’Em What Your Name Is!” from 2009, Mr. Jones made no bones about being the world’s worst paramour: He yelped with Howlin’ Wolf’s ardor about forgetting his girlfriend’s name, eating her chicken and guiltlessly skipping town. He and his band members, who previously performed as Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, offer similarly memorable blues riffs and funk bravado on their latest album, “Electric Slave.” With Pickwick.” (Anderson-NYT)
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place, at 15th Street,
At 7 p.m., $18.
800-745-3000, irvingplaza.com

JESSICA LANG DANCE
“Impeccable craft and a strong sense of visual design mark the work of Jessica Lang, a much in-demand ballet choreographer whose chamber ensemble débuted at the Joyce last fall. Lang’s dances often take inspiration from painting, calligraphy, film, or sculpture. In “Ink,” made in collaboration with the Japanese visual artist Shinichi Maruyama, the dancers move in silhouette, melting into projected images of inky droplets. In “The Calling,” a solitary figure fills the stage, her dimensions augmented by an elaborate costume. Lang’s first full Joyce season includes three new works, one of which is her latest collaboration with Maruyama.” (NewYorker mag)
Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Avenue, at 19th Street,
at 7:30PM / $10 to $39
212-242-0800, joyce.org

Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra
“Eddie Palmieri has been at the top of the Latin-jazz game for more than 40 years, offering fans subtle harmonies and heavy pianistic flurries. With him, you get salsa and then some. Come out and whet your appetite for his new album, Sabiduria/Wisdom, scheduled for release this summer.” (TONY mag)
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 W 42nd St. btw Seventh and Eighth Aves
AT 8:00pm / $30
212-997-4144 / bbkingblues.com

Harold Mabern Trio
Hard bop and Memphis soul are inextricable in the ensemble music of Mr. Mabern, a veteran pianist who works here with the rhythm team of Essiet Essiet on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums.” (Chinen-NYT)
Smalls Jazz Club, 183 West 10th St.
From 9:30 p.m. to midnight /  $20 cover.
smallsjazzclub.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change. ===========================================================================================

Chelsea is the heart of the NYCity contemporary art scene. Home to more than 300 art galleries, the Rubin Museum, the Joyce Theater, and The Kitchen performance spaces, there is no place like it anywhere in the world. Come here to browse free exhibitions by world-renowned artists and those unknowns waiting to be discovered in an art district that is concentrated between West 18th and West 27th Streets, and 10th and 11th Avenues. Afterwards stop in the Chelsea Market, stroll on the High Line, or rest up at one of the many cafes and bars and discuss the fine art – my fave is Ovest on W 27th St., where the aperitivo is like Happy Hour on steroids.

WHAT’S ON VIEW:

Richard Serra, “New Sculpture” (through March 15)
“In this show, Richard Serra continues along the road that emerged from the hugely successful “Torqued Ellipses” of the 1990s, but also circles back to his earlier oeuvre. Here you have the Serra of the ’60s and ’70s, revised and updated: heavy rectilinear plates and cubes fabricated in steel rather than lead, his signature material in the ’60s.” (Schwendener-NYT) 
Gagosian Gallery, 555 West 24th Street,
 Tue–Sat 10am–6pm / 212-741-1111, gagosian.com

For a listing of 25 essential galleries in the Chelsea Art Gallery District, organized by street, which enables you to create your own Chelsea Art Gallery crawl, see the Chelsea Gallery Guide (nycgo.com) Or check out TONY magazine’s list of the “Best Chelsea Galleries” and click through to see what’s on view. ==========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (02/17) and (02/15).

Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – TUESDAY, FEB. 18, 2014

Booker T. Jones
“As the leader of Booker T. & the MGs, the house band for Stax Records, Mr. Jones poured the foundation of Memphis soul from his Hammond organ in the 1960s. Today, Mr. Jones remains a modest, vigorous multi-instrumentalist and producer with a charming lack of musical borders. His is a rare talent: He can leap from producing Willie Nelson to pounding out a cameo on the ska-punk band Rancid’s album “Let the Dominoes Fall.” With Aaron Lee Tasjan.” (Anderson-NYT)
City Winery, 155 Varick Street, near Spring Street, South Village,
At 8 p.m., $35 to $50
212-608-0555, citywinery.com

Reflections of Monk (through Feb. 22)
“A dream team of top-notch bandleader-improvisers join forces to pay tribute to one of the 20th century’s winningest, most enduring oeuvres. Your tour guides through the wonderful world of Thelonious Monk–iana are trumpeter Tom Harrell, saxist Greg Osby, drummer Matt Wilson, bassist Ben Allison and pianist Aaron Goldberg, with saxist Melissa Aldana (winner of the 2013 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition) joining in on Feb 21 and 22.” (TONY mag)
Birdland, 315 W 44th St. btw Eighth and Ninth Aves
At 8:30 and 11PM / $40, with a $10 minimum
212-581-3080 / birdlandjazz.com

Fred Hersch Trio (through Feb. 23)
“The pianist has a nurturing relationship with the Village Vanguard, as demonstrated on his 2012 release, “Alive at the Vanguard,” the third live album that he has recorded there. He returns Feb. 18-23, joined by the same telepathic team assembled for that album: the bassist John Hébert and the drummer Eric McPherson.” (NewYorker mag)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village,
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com 

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca (through Feb. 22)
“The stellar Ms. Barrio and her team of percussionists, guitarists, vocalists and fellow dancers have been regulars at Joe’s Pub for 15 years. Their anniversary program includes excerpts from a new work, “Antigona,” along with well-known and well-loved selections from their soulful repertory.” (Burke-NYT)
Joe’s Pub, at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street, at Astor Place
At 7:30 and 9 p.m., with an additional performance on Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.,
$35 to $45.
212-967-7555, joespub.com

Tony Shalhoub and Santino Fontana
in Conversation With Tom Santopietro and Special Guest Christopher Hart.
Emmy winner Tony Shalhoub (TV series Monk) joins Broadway star Santino Fontana in conversation with Tom Santopietro and special guest Christopher Hart about the upcoming play, Act One, based on playwright Moss Hart’s autobiography.
Barnes & Noble, 2289 Broadway @ 82nd ST.
AT 7PM / FREE
212-362-8835

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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This Week in NYCity (courtesy NYPost):

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A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

Caffe Vivaldi  /  32 Jones Street (btw. Bleecker/W4th St.)

Café Vivaldi is a classic, intimate club located in Greenwich Village on Jones Street, the street featured on the cover of Bob Dylan’s second album, “Freewheelin’ ”.

Each night Ishrat, the long time proprietor and impresario, carefully curates and schedules an eclectic series of musicians. You can often see him at his table in the corner, hard at work reviewing music videos and listening to cd demos on his laptop, scouting out future bookings. Musicians come from all over to play and sing in a club in Greenwich Village. Some are local New Yorkers, others are just passing through, in town for a few days.

There is a small bar, seating maybe 10. It’s close to the stage and I find it’s a perfect spot to sip a glass of red wine while listening to the music. The room itself has the performance area at one end and a cozy fireplace at the other. The performance area here is small, dominated by a large black Yamaha Grand piano. Tables are bunched together and most people at the tables are eating lite meals or sampling the wonderful desserts.

There is also a good selection of wines and lite meals, fairly priced, but you are here because of the music. You can never be quite sure what you’re going to find, and that’s half the charm of this place. It’s not a home run every night, but many nights it’s pretty special.

I remember the night I saw the most talented bossa nova group, just in from San Paulo. As I listened, I wondered if there was any better music playing anywhere else in New York City that night. And at Caffé Vivaldi there is never a cover charge. I should note that their recently redesigned web site does give you a better idea of the type of music playing each night.

At one time Greenwich Village was filled with clubs just like this, but times change. Real estate interests have impacted the village, and not for the better. Even Caffé Vivaldi had a rough time recently, when a new landlord raised the rent exorbitantly. Fortunately, Ishrat has built a loyal following over the years, and a fund raiser and slightly more reasonable rent has kept Café Vivaldi in business.

When Woody Allen and Al Pacino wanted to make movies featuring the timeless quality of Greenwich Village they came to Vivaldi. It’s important that we keep this special place alive, for if we lose Cafe Vivaldi, NYC will have lost a piece of it’s soul.

Website: http://caffevivaldi.com/
Phone #: (212) 691-7538
Hours: Music generally 7:30pm – 11pm, but varies
Lunch/Dinner 11am-on
Subway: #1 to Christopher st
Walk 1 blk S on 7th ave S to Bleecker st, 1 blk S/left on Bleecker to Jones st, 50 yards E/left on Jones st to Caffe V

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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs  – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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3 Good Eating places 

It’s not difficult to find a place to eat in Manhattan.
Finding a good, inexpensive place to eat is a bit harder.
Here are a few of my faves in this neighborhood:

Fish – 280 Bleecker St (just a bit S. of 7th ave South)
This was an easy pick – the best raw bar special in town. $8 gets you 6 of the freshest oysters or clams + a glass of wine or beer. Don’t know how they can do it, but I tell everyone I know about this place. And it’s located right in the heart of some of the best no cover music in town.

Bleecker Street Pizza – 69 7th ave S (corner of Bleecker)
The place is tiny and not much to look at, but this is one good slice. They like to brag that they have been voted “Best pizza in NY” 3 years in a row by the Food Network. I believe them. I would have voted for them.

Num Pang – 21 E 12th st (btw. University place/5th ave)
This is a Cambodian banh mi sandwich shop that kept me well fed while I was in class nearby recently. It’s cramped, even for NYCity, but usually there is room up the spiral staircase to sit down and eat. In good weather carry your sandwich a few blocks to Union Sq park. You may have to wait a few minutes, because everything is freshly made, but it’s worth it. Can you believe – an unheard of 26 food rating by Zagat.

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“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”

That covers a wide range of food – pizza,  burgers,  food trucks/carts,  vegetarian/falafel,  ramen,  chopped salad & salad bars,  hot dogs,  bbq,  soup & sandwiches,  picnic fixins’,  raw bars &  lobster rolls. No reservations needed. ================================================================================

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places and descriptions of my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods (plus 27 casual dining places with free Wi-Fi) order a copy of my e-book: “Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($3.99).
(available Spring 2014)

Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – MONDAY, FEB. 17, 2014

Social Media Week 2014 (through Feb 21)
“Always on, Always connected: The Future of Now”
Conference – Explore the social, cultural and economic impact of social media at this massive meet-up

“The week-long massive meet-up devoted to exploring the social, cultural and economic impact of social media returns to New York with its sixth edition. This year, the proceedings are centralized at Highline Stages with highlights including keynotes by Buzzfeed founder and CEO Jonah Peretti and Upworthy’s Eli Pariser; a masterclass on Impulse Response hosted by the New York Times R&D Lab; an exploration into Attention Economics with TrueX; and a panel discussing Millennial habits and how they are affecting content today.

In addition to the talks at the hub, there are a number of supporting events you can get in on (many are free), throughout the city. For a complete list of what’s happening check out the Social Media Week’s official handy dandy guide.” Mindy Bond, Flavorpill
Highline Stages, 440W15th St.
At 7PM today; 7:45AM other days
Ticket Price$174.30 (Campus Pass (Discounted 30.00%) – $174.30, Networking pass – $29, Insider – $399, CMO Pass – $999)
socialmediaweek.org/newyork/

Captain Black Big Band
“Orrin Evans, a Philly pianist who approaches jazz tradition with both reverence and a deep inquisitiveness, leads his fine large ensemble, which translates postbop fire to the big-band canvas. While there’s no cover charge, a two-course prix-fixe dinner is available for $29.95.” (TONY mag)
Smoke Jazz Club and Lounge, 2751 Broadway
between 105th and 106th Sts
at 7PM / no cover
212-864-6662/ smokejazz.com

“Connie’s Piano Songs: The Art Songs of Elizabeth ‘Connie’ Converse” 
featuring Charlotte Mundy and Christopher Goddard

“One thing about music geeks (who, * moi? *)—we live to discover an artist who’s as obscure and overlooked as she is remarkable, and, also, we just plain love a mystery. Little about the music and life of “Connie” Converse makes sense: born in 1924, she held down a day job as a secretary and wrote and wrote and recorded her own contemporary folk songs in an era decades before that concept was even invented. Then, at the age of 50, she completely fell off the planet; for all we know, she’s apparently holing up in a bar in Argentina alongside by Jimmy Hoffa and Judge Crater.

In 2009, a CD of her own recordings was released under the title “How Sad, How Lonely,” and now the resourceful singer-guitarist Howard Fishman has produced a new album of Converse’s songs rendered by soprano Charlotte Mundy and pianist Christopher Goddard, which will be launched Monday night at Poisson Rouge. Converse’s music anticipates the entire singer-songwriter era, and at the same time seems to come from some undiscovered alternate universe of sound.” (WSJ)
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St.
at 6PM / $15
(212) 228-4854 / lepoissonrouge.com

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO
“Stanley Dural, Jr., who has been performing under this stage name for decades, was one of the first to bring Louisiana’s accordion-heavy dance music to the masses. A seasoned party professional, he pays a pre-Mardi Gras visit to the city, with a run at the Iridium. The first two nights, he’s with his band (keep an eye on that washboard player), and on the last night he’s sitting in on Hammond B-3 organ, one of his first loves, with the Les Paul Trio.” (NewYorker mag)
Iridium, 1650 Broadway, at 51st St.
At 8 and 10PM / $35 + $15 food or drink minimum.
212-582-2121 / iridiumjazzclub.com

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party
A popular weekly soiree that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland every Monday night. For the past nine years, it’s been the spot to mix and mingle with Manhattan show folk and their fans.

The buoyant, sharp and charming Broadway impresario Jim Caruso hosts a combination open-mic, networking event and party, where some nights you may hear the biggest stars on Broadway relax on their night off by performing their favorite songs in an informal setting. Always fun.
Birdland – 315 West 44th St (btw 8th/9th ave)
9:30 pm / $20 (includes a drink if you sit at the bar, which are not bad seats)
(212) 581-3080 / birdlandjazz.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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What’s on View:
Special Exhibitions @ 3 Museum Mile / Fifth Ave. Museums:

‘Silla: Korea’s Golden Kingdom’ (through Feb. 23)
“Venetian Glass by Carlo Scarpa, The Venini Co., 1932–1947” (through March 2, 2014)
‘Ink Art: Past as Present in Contemporary China’ (through April 6)
‘The American West in Bronze, 1850-1925’ (ends April 13)
‘Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris’ (through May 4)
William Kentridge: ‘The Refusal of Time’ (through May 11)
The Flowering of Edo Period Painting: Japanese Masterworks from the Feinberg Collection’(through Sept. 7)
‘Early American Guitars: The Instruments of C.F. Martin’ (through Dec. 7)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave, at 82nd St.
(212) 535-7710 / metmuseum.org
————————————————————————————————————————————-

‘Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes From the Hill Collection’ (through June 15)
“This sensational, beautifully presented show of 33 late-15th- to early-18th-century bronzes reflects a taste for historically important, big-statement examples in exceptional condition. They vividly reflect the Renaissance’s new interest in antiquity and the human form while encouraging concentration on emotional expression, refined details (great hair!), struggling or relaxed figures and varied patinas. Works by the reigning geniuses Giambologna, Susini and the lesser-known Piamontini dominate, further enlivened by a handful of old master and late-20th-century paintings from the Hill collection.”
(Roberta Smith-NYT)
Frick Collection: 1 East 70th St.
212-288-0700, frick.org.
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‘Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video’ (through May 14)
“Kandinsky in Paris, 1934–1944“ (through Apr. 23, 2014)
Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 89th St.
(212) 423-3500 / guggenheim.org.

========================================================== Museum Mile is a section of Fifth Avenue which contains one of the densest displays of culture in the world. Ten museums can be found along this section of Fifth Avenue:

• 110th Street – Museum for African Art

• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio

• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York

• 92nd Street – The Jewish Museum

• 91st Street –  Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

• 89th Street – National Academy Museum

• 88th Street – Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

• 86th Street – Neue Galerie New York

• 83rd Street – Goethe-Institut

Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
• 82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Additionally, though technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 70th St. and the The Morgan Library & Museum on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave. Now plan your own museum crawl. ==========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar: “NYCity Events: Manhattan’s WestSide” dated 02/15 and 02/13.

Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – SUNDAY, FEB. 16, 2014

Tierney Sutton Band
“A jazz singer of cool poise and effervescent style, Tierney Sutton draws from “American Road,” a broadly defined standards album — Gershwin alongside George Benson, and some Bernstein for good measure — with her longstanding band.” (Chinen-NYT)
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St and Broadway,
At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m./ $40 and $45 cover, with a $10 minimum
212-258-9595, jalc.org;

Harlem Globetrotters
Everyone should see these guys at least once – see sports when it was just fun, not big business. First, watch this incredible shot 5 stories above the basket – nothing but net.

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters have been thrilling families and millions of fans for 88 years, all the while innovating the game in exciting new ways. Last year, the Globetrotters did something unparalleled in the history of sports and entertainment, letting fans vote on new rules to be used in actual games. It was so much fun, they are doing it again on their 2014 “Fans Rule” World Tour.
Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza,
866-858-0008, thegarden.com

DAVE HOLLAND
“Although the bassist Holland was present on some of the most significant early fusion albums (including Miles Davis’s pioneering “Bitches Brew,” from 1970), he has never led a full-throttle jazz-rock unit until now. “Prism” is the name of both his new quartet and its recent début album; with the pianist Craig Taborn,the guitarist Kevin Eubanks, and the drummer Eric Harland in tow, Holland has all the firepower he needs.” (NewYorker listings)
Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th Street, Chelsea,
At 8 p.m.,/ $29.50 in advance, $35 day of show; $55 for V.I.P. seating;
$10 minimum per person at tables.
212-414-5994,highlineballroom.com

Royal New Zealand Ballet  performs Andrew Simmons’s Of Days
“Dance fans know Ethan Stiefel as the celebrated former American Ballet Theatre principal; dance-movie fans know him as the jerky choreographer who broke Jody’s heart in Center Stage. These days, he’s the artistic director of the world-renowned Royal New Zealand Ballet, which is making its long-awaited NYC debut at the Joyce.

The company will perform Benjamin Millepied’s elegant 28 Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Javier De Frutos’s flamenco-inflected Banderillero and Andrew Simmons’s minimalist Of Days.” (TONY mag )
Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave. at 19th St
2:00pm & 7:30pm /$10–$75
212-242-0800 / joyce.org

CYRILLE AIMÉE
“The locally based, French-born singer, who is of Dominican descent, was a runner-up in the 2010 Thelonious Monk Vocals Competition and she grabbed the gold two years later in the first Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Competition. She’s at Birdland celebrating Valentine’s Day all week long.” (NewYorker listings)
Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, Clinton,
At 8:30 and 11 p.m./ $40, with a $10 minimum.
212-581-3080, birdlandjazz.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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NYCity This Week

During Fashion Week, photographers all but transformed the media pit at the Creatures of the Wind show at Lincoln Center into a mosh pit.
Yana Paskova for The New York Times / Panorama ==============================================================

A PremierPub / Midtown West.

Russian Vodka Room  / 265 W 52nd St (btw 7th/8th ave)

Sure, you could travel to Minsk or even Brighton Beach, for an authentic Russian experience, but why bother. On those days when you feel you must wash down your dish of kasha with a few glasses of icy, cold vodka, the Russian Vodka Room will definitely satisfy your urge.

From the outside this place looks a bit drab, and with no windows, a bit mysterious. Midtown tourists walk right by on their way to see “Jersey Boys”,  just down the block.

Those in the know enter a secret hideaway, a dimly lit front room with soft jazz playing – a perfect spot for an illicit late-night rendezvous, or maybe a meet-up with your Russian spy handler, but that’s later in the evening. Early in the evening the large U-shaped bar fills with the after work happy hour crowd, a group made very happy by the much reduced prices.

Their website says: “Welcome Comrades”. Of course, this welcome focuses on dozens of different vodkas, including their own special infusions, which marinate in giant, clear glass jugs visible around the room. The large vodka martinis ensure that you won’t confuse this place with your mother’s Russian Tea Room.

But man does not live by vodka alone. Eat some food, especially the tapa like appetizers. Be decadent and try the cheese blintzes with chocolate, or try a main dish like beef stroganoff with kasha.

Your best bet is to go on a night when the piano man is playing. This guy, who looks like he has eaten a lot of those cheese blintzes, plays five nights a week from 7 to 12 (no Mondays and Thursdays). When the piano man is playing American pop tunes, and you are at the crowded, dimly lit bar testing the horseradish infused vodka, that’s when the RVR shines.

It’s the kind of place where the noise gets louder and the crowd gets happier as the happy hour goes on. I’m generally a beer guy, but I like to come here with a group of friends. We find a table in the back room; we eat, and we drink vodka ‘till it hurts (and it will hurt).

==========================================================

Website: http://www.russianvodkaroom.com/
Phone #: 212-307-5835
Hours: 4pm-2am; Fri-Sun closes 4am (that could be trouble)
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day
$4 shots infused vodka (2oz), $5 cosmos; $4 czech draft beer
Music: FR-SU; TU-WE / 7pm-12am
Subway: #1 to 50th St.
Walk 2 blk N. on B’way to 52nd St.; 1 blk W. to RVR
Confusingly, the Russian Samovar is right across the street, on the  S. side of 52nd St.
The RVR, your destination, is on the N. side of 52nd St.
Update: music some nights includes a sax player with a younger, trimmer piano man.

===========================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs  – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
===========================================================================================

Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, FEB. 15, 2014

Today starts the second week of competition in the Winter Games.
Today’s highlight – the Russian v USA hockey game at 4:30pm:
Paley Center for Media: The Olympic Games
(Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday)
On select days through Feb. 23, visitors can watch daytime coverage of the Olympics on the center’s big screen. The free programming is a celebration of the center’s United States Olympic Archive, featuring televised Olympic competitions dating to 1960.
Paley Center for Media, West 52nd St.
screenings included in admission: $10, $8 for students and 65+
212-621-6800,paleycenter.org

Angélique Kidjo
“Beninese Afropop spitfire Angélique Kidjo is a huge star in Africa, thanks to her music and work as a women’s-rights activist. She’s collaborated with Questlove and Tune-Yards for the Red Hot Organization, performed at the Peace Ball at Barack Obama’s first inauguration, and The Guardian named her one of the top 100 most inspiring women in the world. Suffice it to say, we think you should probably check her out.” (TONY mag)
The Town Hall, 123 W 43rd St, between Sixth Ave and Broadway
212-840-2824 / thetownhall.org
8:00pm / $40–$55

Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
“This incisive large ensemble, led by the pianist Arturo O’Farrill, begins its 12th season with the program “Jazz Across the Americas: Colombia & Peru,” a celebration of music informed by those cultures. Among the Colombians joining the band, and bringing compositions, are the pianist Pablo Mayor and the accordionist Gregorio Uribe; the analogous guests from Peru are Laura Andrea Leguía, a saxophonist, and Ivonne Paredes, a percussionist.” (Nate Chinen-NYT)
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, at 95th Street,
212-864-5400, symphonyspace.org;
At 8 p.m. / $20; $15 for members and students.

Dee Daniels
“Ms. Daniels is a strong, sure-footed jazz singer of old-school persuasions, though she has her affinities with contemporary gospel and soul. On Valentine’s Day, as on her most recent album, “State of the Art,” she plays with a band that includes the pianist Cyrus Chestnut. On Saturday her pianist will be Helen Sung. On alto saxophone, both nights, is Antonio Hart.” (Chinen-NYT)
Smoke, 2751 Broadway, at 106th Street,
7, 9 and 10:30 p.m. / $40 cover.
212-864-6662, smokejazz.com

Before the Fall: From the Roaring ’20s to the Crash of ’29
“The economic history of the United States is a series of peaks and valleys, booms and busts. That’s just how we roll. Financial historian James Grant, the George W. Bush Institute’s Amity Shlaes and moderator Byron R. Wien reflect on the gilded age of the 1920s, when unprecedented Wall Street windfalls presaged the worst economic disaster in our history.” (TONY mag)
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, between 76th and 77th Sts
Sat 10am–6pm; Price:$18, seniors $14,
212-873-3400 / nyhistory.org

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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WHAT’S ON VIEW: Special Exhibitions @ 4 MUSEUMS (Manhattan’s WestSide)

‘Walker Evans: American Photographs’ (through Mar. 09)
“In 1938, the Museum of Modern Art mounted its first one-person photography exhibition: “American Photographs,” by Walker Evans. This gripping, 75th-anniversary reprise of that show presents more than 50 images from that body of work. It is accompanied by a reissue of the original catalog, which includes a wonderfully insightful essay by Evans’s friend and supporter Lincoln Kirstein. Together, the show and the book reverberate now in a time when the idea of America is subject to debates as fractious and far-reaching as at any time since the Civil War.” (Johnson-NYT)
Isa Genzken: ‘Retrospective’ (through March 10)
‘Ileana Sonnabend: Ambassador for the New’ (through April 21)
 ‘Designing Modern Women 1890-1990’(through Oct. 5)
Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St. (btw 5th /6th Ave.)
(212) 708-9400 / moma.org.

Designing Modern Women 1890-1990:

==========================================================

‘Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital’ (through June 1)
“If you haven’t quite wrapped your head around the concept of 3-D printing, or haven’t yet had a digital scanner wrap itself around you, now you can do both in this survey of computer-assisted art, architecture and design. The show looks at art made since 2005 and fills nearly three floors, including many irresistible interactive projects. Its ideas may not be entirely new; the Museum of Modern Art’s 2008 exhibition “Design and the Elastic Mind” covered much of the same territory, but there’s something to be said for this more down-to-earth, production-focused exhibition.” (Rosenberg-NYT)
Museum of Arts and Design, Columbus Circle,
212-299-7777,madmuseum.org.
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‘The Armory Show at 100: Modern Art and Revolution’ (through Feb. 23)
“The Historical Society visits a watershed exhibition in the history of American art (and a significant event in the annals of New York City) with this centennial celebration of the 1913 Armory Show, the controversial survey that introduced New York audiences to the works of such modern artists as Duchamp, Matisse, Picasso, Cézanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh. Some of those same pieces return here.” (TONY listings)
New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, at 77th St.
(212) 873-3400 / nyhistory.org.

==========================================================

The Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya (ongoing)
This exhibition by artist Nathan Sawaya is a critically acclaimed collection of intriguing and inspiring works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world — LEGO® bricks. The Discovery Times Square exhibit is the world’s biggest and most elaborate display of LEGO® art ever and features brand-new, never-before-seen pieces by Sawaya. This show was named ‘One of CNN’s Ten Global Must-See Exhibitions.’
Discovery Times Square, 226 West 44th St. (btw 7th/8th ave)
866.987.9692 / http://www.discoverytsx.com

==========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : … …” dated (02/13) and (02/11).

Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, FEB. 14, 2014

Beth Orton
“This British folk scribe has long dabbled in chilly electronic soundscapes via her numerous solo albums and a high-profile collaboration with the Chemical Brothers. As a result, her emotionally bare ruminations — delivered with a hitch in her throat — sound fresh and contemporary. “ (Anderson-NYT)
Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th Street and Broadway,
212-721-6500, jalc.org;
At 8:30 p.m. / limited availability.

DIANNE REEVES (also Saturday)
“Combining the larger-than-life vocal skills, reverence for tradition, and regal demeanor of Sarah Vaughan with an inquisitive stance toward contemporary pop and world music, Reeves gets to have it both ways. Her loyal fans have come to cherish her shape-shifting attitude, and “Beautiful Life,” her first album in five years, features songs by Marvin Gaye, Ani DiFranco, Fleetwood Mac, and others.” (NewYorker listings)
Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway/60th St.
212-721-6500, jalc.org
at 8PM /

Kings of Leon and Gary Clark Jr.
“Still stomping the road in support of their stadium-friendly sixth studio album, “Mechanical Bull,” the photogenic family band Kings of Leon are seasoned pros at filling the arena with their noncombative Southern rock. They share the stage with the much-vaunted bluesy singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr., who for the past few years has been called the next Hendrix. His major-label debut, “Blak and Blu,” with bracing pop-blues hooks and richly weathered vocals, surpassed his early praise.” (Anderson-NYT)
Madison Square Garden,
866-858-0008, thegarden.com;
At 8 p.m./ $49.50 to $69.50

GREGORY PORTER
“The current jazz audience has been itching for a strong new male singer for some time, and one who is truly worth embracing has finally emerged. Last month, he won a Grammy for his Blue Note début, “Liquid Spirit,” confirming that it’s his moment to shine; time will tell if his songwriting abilities can match his persuasive vocalizing.” (NewYorker listings)
Town Hall, 123 West 43rd Street, Manhattan,
800-982-2787, the-townhall-nyc.org;
At 8 p.m. / $42.30 and $47.50.

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (through Feb 17)
Monday night big bands are a Gotham staple, but this is the one that started it all. Celebrating its 48th year at the club, the orchestra created by late greats Thad Jones and Mel Lewis purrs and roars all week, featuring fresh charts by Bob Brookmeyer, Jim McNeely, Kenny Werner and other top composers, in addition to its time-honored canon of Jones classics.
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave South, at 11th St
At 8:30 and 10:30 / $25 + 1 drink minimum
212-255-4037 / villagevanguard.com

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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A PremierPub + 3 Good Eating places 

Jimmy’s Corner  /  140 W 44th St (btw B’way & 7th ave)

Jimmy’s Corner is right in the heart of Times Square, but you won’t find it on the corner, it’s mid-block. Enter this long narrow bar and you are struck by the walls covered with mostly black-and-white boxing photographs, and memorabilia. Soon enough you learn that “Corner” refers to proprietor Jimmy Glenn’s long career as a corner man for some of boxing greats – Liston, Tyson, even “the greatest”, Ali.

Jimmy’s is a sort of time machine, taking you back to a time and place that no longer exists. All around you Times Square has cleaned up, grown up, assumed a new identity. Jimmy’s probably hasn’t changed a bit since it first opened in 1971. Certainly the bar itself looks original and the prices haven’t changed much either. When I brought a friend, who owns her own bar, she was surprised when she got the small tab for a round of drinks. Figured there must be a mistake, that maybe they forgot to charge for all the drinks.

Times Square today is filled with neon glitz and wandering tourists from Dubuque, but not Jimmy’s. You’ll likely find some old timer’s at the bar nursing their drinks, some younger locals at tables in the back, and maybe a few adventuresome tourists clutching their trusty guidebooks. There’s no food served here because this is just a bar, and sometimes that’s all you need.

On nights when no local team is playing, it’s a fine place to sip some drafts and listen to a great old time jukebox (40s, 50s, R&B, and soul). On sports nights this very narrow bar can get a bit claustrophobic, filled with excited fans watching their team on the TVs. Either way, Jimmy’s is the place to be if you are looking for an old time bar in the new Times Square.
————————————————————————————————————————
Website: are you kidding !
(although there is a facebook page with lots of photos –
facebook.com/jimmyscornernyc)
Phone #: 212-221-9510
Hours: 11am – 4 am, except Sunday they open 12 noon
Happy Hour: not necessary, low prices all day, every day
Subway: #1,2,3 to TimesSquare 42nd st
walk 2 blks N on 7th ave to 44th st; ½ blk E to Jimmy’s

===========================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs  – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
===========================================================================================

3 Good Eating places 

It’s not difficult finding a place to eat in Manhattan.
Finding a good, inexpensive place to eat is a bit harder.
Here are a few of my faves in this neighborhood:

Patzeria Perfect Pizza – 231 W46 st (Betw 7th/8th ave)
Perfect name for a pizza joint. On a street filled with Broadway theaters, this is a real hole in the wall, but don’t let the dive look scare you away. You can never go wrong with a slice of NYC pizza, and this one is a classic thin crust. Only a few seats here, but pizza was made to eat standing up.

Shake Shack – 691 8th ave (Betw 43rd/44th st)
Danny Meyer has revolutionized the high quality burger in this town. Now he has a branch on the West Side that was desperately needed, with none of the insane lines that you find at the Madison Sq. Park location. Plus, it may be the cleanest joint to eat in all of Hell’s Kitchen.

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“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”

That covers a wide range of food – pizza,  burgers,  food trucks/carts,  vegetarian/falafel,  ramen,  chopped salad & salad bars,  hot dogs,  bbq,  soup & sandwiches,  picnic fixins’,  raw bars & lobster rolls. No reservations needed. ================================================================================

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places and descriptions of my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods (plus 27 casual dining places with free Wi-Fi) order a copy of my e-book: “Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($3.99).
(available Spring 2014)

Favorite Venues-Manhattan’s WestSide – THURSDAY, FEB. 13, 2014

Today’s snowstorm will close most venues and keep most patrons safe at home.

Rather than try to identify those few special performances that will take place, today’s post will highlight some of my fave performing arts venues on Manhattan’s WestSide:

Music – Jazz and Standards

Birdland
Blue Note
Dizzy’s Club
54 Below
55 Bar
Smoke
Village Vanguard

Music – Everything Else
includes Rock, Pop, Blues, Folk-Rock, R&B/Soul,
Latino/Brazilian, Reggae, even Cajun/Zydeco and Bluegrass.
(but no Hip Hop/Rap, Grunge/Punk/Heavy Metal, Electronic/Dance, music)

B.B. King’s Blues Club
BAM
Beacon Theater
Caffe Vivaldi
Carnegie Hall
City Winery
Cornelia Street Cafe
Joe’s Pub
Le Poisson Rouge
Metropolitan Room
Miller Theatre
Symphony Space
Terra Blues
Town Hall

Other Performing Arts

Lincoln Center
(cultural heart of the cultural capital of the world)

• The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
• Film Society of Lincoln Center
• Jazz at Lincoln Center
• The Juilliard School
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
• Lincoln Center Theater
• The Metropolitan Opera
• New York City Ballet
• New York Philharmonic
• NY Public Library for the Performing Arts
• School of American Ballet
• David Rubenstein Atrium / esp. Target Thursdays

City Center
Joyce Theater
NY Live Arts

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change

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Chelsea is the heart of the NYCity contemporary art scene. Home to more than 300 art galleries, the Rubin Museum, the Joyce Theater, and The Kitchen performance spaces, there is no place like it anywhere in the world. Come here to browse free exhibitions by world-renowned artists and those unknowns waiting to be discovered in an art district that is concentrated between West 18th and West 27th Streets, and 10th and 11th Avenues. Afterwards stop in the Chelsea Market, stroll on the High Line, or rest up at one of the many cafes and bars and discuss the fine art – my fave is Ovest on W 27th St., where the aperitivo is like Happy Hour on steroids.

WHAT’S ON VIEW: most galleries closed today due to snowstorm.

For a listing of 25 essential galleries in the Chelsea Art Gallery District, organized by street, which enables you to create your own Chelsea Art Gallery crawl, see the Chelsea Gallery Guide (nycgo.com) Or check out TONY magazine’s list of the “Best Chelsea Galleries” and click through to see what’s on view ==========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (02/11) and (02/09).